Part 7/9:
The Importance of Relationships
A particularly concerning report mentioned Guerrero's possible interest in joining the Red Sox should he leave, a division rival. This underscores the broader implications of failing to secure a player of this caliber. Not only would the Blue Jays lose a significant asset, but they could potentially bolster an already formidable opponent.
Furthermore, a failure to handle Guerrero's contract could damage relationships with current and future players. The culture around signing in Toronto is already affected by the Canadian tax structure, and consistently lowballing star players could exacerbate those issues, making it difficult to attract and retain top-tier talent in the future.